Known for director action-packed films, such as the Gadar series, Anil Sharma has a history in family dramas. He made his breakthrough with touching family-friendly movies like Shradhanjali and Bandhan Kachche Dhaagon Ka over forty years ago. With Vanvaas, he revisits this genre, delivering a story of familial ties, loss, and redemption. While Sharma’s intentions seem pure, the film’s sluggish pace and distracting subplots hinder its potential.
Actors: Nana Patekar, Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur, Rajpal Yadav, Ashwini Kalsekar
Director: Anil Sharma
Genre: Hindi, Family, Drama
Duration: 2 Hours 20 Minutes
Storyline of Vanvaas
Vanvaas delves into the world of ingratitude, helplessness, loneliness, and pain through the eyes of Tyagi (played by Nana Patekar). Suffering from advanced dementia, Tyagi is a retired patriarch of a large family, including three married sons and grandchildren. Deeply attached to his late wife, he wishes to convert their home, “Vimla Sadan,” into a trust to honor her memory and serve the community. However, his sons vehemently oppose this decision, desiring the property for themselves.
In a selfish bid to gain control, they abandon Tyagi in Varanasi and spread the false news of his death by drowning in the Ganges.
In Varanasi, Tyagi encounters Bheeru, a street-smart hustler who initially deceives him. However, upon learning about Tyagi’s tragic plight, Bheeru resolves to reunite him with his family. Joining him in this mission are his girlfriend Bina (Simrat Kaur Randhawa), his friend (played by Rajpal Yadav), and Bina’s aunt (Ashwini Kalsekar).
Can Bheeru bring Tyagi back to his family? What fate awaits the selfish sons and daughters-in-law who abandoned their father? The answers lie in the emotional journey of Vanvaas.
Vanvaas Movie Review
A recurrent issue in Vanvaas’ plot is the self-centered children’s abandoning of their aging parents. Even though this subject has been covered in classic movies like Swarg and Baghban, Anil Sharma tries to present a novel viewpoint by combining poignant drama with humorous moments. Despite his best attempts, the film’s pacing is still a major flaw, and several of the subplots lessen the effect of the primary theme.
That said, the movie excels in its visual storytelling. Kabir Lal’s cinematography is striking, capturing everything from the melancholic snowfall through a top-angle shot to the vibrant hues of Varanasi’s ghats. The soundtrack complements the emotional tone, with standout tracks like the title song and Geeli Machis adding depth to key moments.
Performance Highlights
Nana Patekar is undoubtedly the backbone of Vanvaas. His portrayal of a distressed and hopeful father abandoned by his children is both poignant and powerful. Utkarsh Sharma holds his ground, sharing good chemistry with Patekar. Simrat Kaur Randhawa is charming and does justice to her role. Rajpal Yadav and Ashwini Kalsekar infuse humor, providing some much-needed respite from the intense drama. The supporting cast delivers decent performances, ensuring the film remains engaging.